BURIAL societies from around Soweto and Ekurhuleni have formed an association.
The new Mdibaniso Burial Society Association has 25 burial societies as members.
Venadle Dodo, association chairman and founder, said their aim was to help societies in the event that three or more dead needed to be buried at the same time which could cause a single society big problems.
“In such tragic events, Mdibaniso steps forward and its 25 societies contribute R3 000 each.
“The money will then be used to bury all the deceased members and their dependents.”
He said they realised societies would struggle to bury their people in case of multiple deaths.
“The bereaved will not be happy if the society they know has been paid does not help them.
“The association makes sure that members of societies don’t have to beg for money – that’s why they started their burial society in the first place.
“We decided to come together as a network of societies to prevent disasters such as this.”
The association was formed at Khanyiso Primary School in Katlehong and it meets four times a year to ensure it runs smoothly.
They also invite all societies across the Vaal, West Rand, Soweto and Ekurhuleni to join them.
The association is only a society safety net which helps when three or more people from the same society need to be buried at the same time. It does not affect each member society’s regular weekly or monthly operations.
